Can opener and sealer



March 17, 1953 c. N. ANDERSON ETAL 2,631,366

CAN OPENER AND SEALER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Sept. 8, 1950 N MMMM NONE 5 E J Van e m i n ma e w w #u No m G M5 35 March 17, 1953 c. N. ANDERSON ETAL 1,

CAN OPENER AND SEALER 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Filed Sept. 8, 1950 e m M; mg 6 f f. 8 MW m 0 2 L T M F y Patented Mar. 17, 1953 CAN OPENER AND SEALER Carl N. Anderson, Staten Island, Clifford J. Dennen, Brooklyn, and William A. Graefiinger,

Queens Village, N. Y.

Application September 8, 1950, Serial No. 183,758

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to can openers, and is particularly directed to a combined device for opening and sealing cans or other similar receptacles of the type used in the sale of beer, evaporated milk, cream, oil or other liquids.

In opening cans of the type referred to, it is customary to punch, or otherwise form, a pair of preferably diametrically opposed openings in one end of the can. When thecan is tilted, the contents thereof pours through one of these openings, while the other opening provides a vent to permit atmospheric pressure to act upon the surface of the contents.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device which is easily and safely carried in the user's pocket, and which may be employed first in forming thecustomary pair of openings in the top of a can so that the contents may be poured or dispensed, and then may be used to seal the openings so that the contents remaining in the can will be preserved in a usable condition; and in one aspect of the invention the device also includes a bottle opener, formed conveniently as a part thereof, and may be provided with a bottle sealing element.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a combined can opening and sealing device of the character described which is formed of a pair of similar elements flexibly and resiliently connected together and each including a pointed opening forming portion and an opening sealing portion, and wherein the opening forming and sealing portions are related to each other so that the elements must be turned through substantially 180 from their opening forming positions in order to engage the sealing portions in the openings, and turned similarly from the sealed position to permit complete withdrawal of the elements from the can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined can opening and sealing device of the character described which is formed of a pair of similar elements, each having a pointed portion for forming the openings in the top of the can and a sealing portion for plugging the openings, and wherein each of the sealing portions is provided with a suitably formed recess or cavity for receiving the pointed end of the other element when the pair of elements are arranged in stored condition so that the device may be safely carried in a user's pocket or otherwise.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combined can opening and sealing device formed of a pair of similar elements, each having a pointed portion for punching openings in the top of a can and a sealing portion for plugging such openings, wherein each of the sealing portions is provided with a suitably formed recess or cavity for receiving the pointed end of the other element, and wherein the pair of elements are joined together with a flexible and resilient member which continuously urges the pointed elements into the respective recesses or cavities when the elements are in their stored condition.

A still further object is to provide a combined can opening and sealing device of the character set forth, and suited to accomplish the foregoing objects, which is simple and inexpensive in construction, sturdy and compact.

The foregoing and other objectives, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, while the new features of combination, construction and operation which are claimed as the invention are set forth more particularly in the appended claims. The detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and in which:

Fig. 1 is a detailed elevational view of a com bined can opening and sealing device constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention, and with one of the elements forming the illustrated device being shown with the front exposed to view while the rear of the other of the elements is exposed to view;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of one of the elements forming the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on an en lfiarged scale and taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on an enliargezd scale and taken along the line 44 of Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on an enizairgejd scale and taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 6 is a detailed side elevational view of the device illustrated in Fig.. 1, but with the pair of elements thereof shown in their positions for storage or carrying;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view through a can or similar container showing the use of the device of Fig. 1 in puncturing the top of the can to form a pair of openings;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the punctured end or the can;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectionalview, similar to 3 Fig. 7, but showing the use of the device of Fig. 1 in sealing the openings formed in the top of a can or similar container;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of one of a pair of elements constructed according to another embodiment of the invention, and with the element in condition for forming an opening in the top of a can;

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the element of Fig. 10, but in condition for sealing an opening formed in the top of a can;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of still another embodiment of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 thereof, a can opening and sealing device, embodying the present invention, is there shown and is generally indicated by the reference numeral Iii. Such device consists of a pair of elements H and i2 connected together by a flexible and resilient member 13.

Each of the elements H and 92 includes a pointed portion id for puncturing the top of a can and a sealing portion it, which may be formed integrally with the pointed portion or otherwise joined thereto, and is provided for sealing the opening formed by the pointed portion.

Pointed portion I4 is substantially triangular in cross-section, as indicated in Fig. 4, and is preferably formed with a flat rear surface 55 and a pair of concave front surfaces 5? meeting along a forward spine it. The side edges of pointed portion 14 flare outwardly from the point to a plane I9 of maximum width, and forward spine Iii also flares outwardly or away from the flat rear surface it to a maximum depth or thickness at the same plane ES. From plane 19, portion [4 tapers both in width and thickness toward the root or base 26, and at the base or root 20 the width is substantially less than the maximum thickness at plane It. Thus, the root "or base 2 of portion i4 may be rotated freely within an opening formed by and having the configuration of portion l i at plane it.

Sealing fportion iii of each element may be formed ihteg ralwith pointed portion [5, if of the same material as the latter, or portion it maybe joined to portion it by a reinforcing member 2|. In order to improve the engagement of portion I Within an opening formed in the .top of a can, it may be formed of a resilient substance, for example rubber, or of a rigid material with an enveloping layer of a resilient substance. As seen in'Fig. 3, sealing portion i5 is also formed with a substantially triangular crosssection, but the front thereof is a flat surface 22 while the rear surfaces 23 are concave and meet at a rear spine 2 As seen in Fig. 2, that front surface 22 is disposed substantially in the same plane as that of the hat rear surface it of portion 14. Sealing portion 15 tapers both in width and thickness from its head or top to its base or root at reinforcing member 2 i. Each sealing portion I5 is so formed that its crosssection at a plane substantially belowpthe top thereof, that is, along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, is the same as the maximum cross-section of portion !4 at plane i9, but turned around through 180.

A cylindrical boss or stud 25 (Fig. 7) extends from the top of sealing portion [5, and a collar with an eye 27 to provide for the attachment of member I 3 to elements ii and I2. Each of the elements H and I2 includes a thumb-piece 28, preferably formed integral with boss 25.

Member l3 connecting together elements Ii and [2 may be formed of any flexible and resilient material or construction, and in the illustrated embodiment is shown to include lengths of flexible chain 29 and 30, joined to eyes 27 of elements H and I2, and an intermediate spring 3|.

Flexible and resilient member 13 not only conveniently joins the pair of elements together to provide a readily usable unit, but also operates to maintain the elements in their nested or stored position which is illustrated in Fig. 6. As seen in Fig. 5, each of the sealing portions 55 is formed with a cavity or recess 32 opening at the base thereof to receive the pointed end of the portion Hi of the other of the elements when the latter are arranged with theirportions 14 overlapped and the flat surfaces thereof in confronting relation (Fig. 6) Member 13 is of such length that the spring ti forming a part thereof, is tensioned when the elements are so arranged, and continuously urges the pointof the portion it of each element deeper into cavity 32 of the portion iii of theother of the elements. It is apparent that with the points of elements H and i2 shielded or sheathed within cavities 32, the device it, not only is compact, but may easily be carried in a users pocketwithout any danger from the sharp points "of the portions it thereof.

Referring now to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the use of device it in forming openings in the top of a can 33 to permit the pouring of its contents and in subsequently sealing such openings is there illustrated.

In formingthe openings in the top 3 2 of can 33, either one or the other of the elements H and I2 is first held above top 34 with the pointed end of portion l4 thereof engaging the can top at a point adjacent the edge of the latter and with spine l8 disposed inwardly. Pressure is then applied downwardly on thumb piece 28, and the side edges and spine of portion 44 cut into top 34 as the opening forming portion moves into the can. The concave and flaring frontsurfaces I! of portion Ii roll the metal at the sides of the opening 35, formed by suchcutting'actiomdown wardly into the can so that the edge of the open+ ing, at the upper surface of top 3 are smooth and safe. The opening thus formed has a configuration (Fig. 8) which is substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape of portion I 4 at plan'e ii), that is'at its plane of maximum width and thickness. When the element is moved further into the .can, so that the base or root 2'0 ofpor tion I4 enters into opening 35, the I'el'ement will be free to rotate within the-"opening; However, the base end of sealing .p'ortion IE will overhang the portion of top 35 disposed at the outside of opening 35 and prevent further-downwardmove;- ment of the element into the can. Thus,'seal'- ing portion [5 of element "42 cannot engage gin the opening'35 until the element is manipulated to remove the base end of the .:sealing portion from its position overlying top "34. Since considerable force may-bejapplie'd tothumb-piece 28 duringthe forming of'ope'ni-ng 35,,jthesealing portion would normally be moved into the openm by such force were it not forthe feature of construction which :prevents. zisuch excessive movement during. the forming fof the. openings.

After opening 35 has been formed at one side of top 34,a similar opening 36 may be formed with the other of the elements II and I2 at a point diametrically opposed to the location of opening 35. The elements II and I2 are then both removed from the respective openings which have been formed, and the can may be tilted to pour its contents from one of the openings 35 and 36, while the other opening serves as a vent to permit atmospheric pressure to act upon the surface of the contents.

If all of the contents of can 33 are not immediately dispensed, device I!) may be used to seal openings 35 and 36 so that the contents remaining in the can are preserved in a usable condition. For this purpose, portions I4 of elements II and I2 are extended through opening 35 and 35 until the bases of the sealing portions I5 engage against top 34. Elements II and I2 are then rotated through 180 to the positions of Fig. 9, which rotation is not obstructed by connecting member I3 by reason of the rotation of collars 25 on their respective bosses 25. The sealing portions I5, after such rotation, are aligned with the respective openings, and pressure is applied to thumb-pieces 28 to move tapering sealing pormay be completely withdrawn from the can. It

will be noted that the base or upper ends of open-- ing forming portions I4 underlie the portions of top 34 outside of openings 35 and 35 and would engage against top 34 to prevent complete withdrawal of elements I I and I2 from the can when,-

the latter are in sealing position. Thus, the elements cannot be blown-out of the can by the accumulation of excess pressure within the lattor, for example when the contents of the can is a carbonated beverage, and the possibility of, injury to the user by explosively ejected sealing plugs is thereby avoided.

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, an element II, constructed according to another embodiment of this invention, is there shown. It is to,

be understood that the complete can opening and sealing device having this modified form includes a pair of elements constructed in the manner of element I I and connected together by a suitable fiexible and resilient member such as mem-, ber I3 heretofore described.

Element II includes a portion I4 for punching or forming an opening in the top of a can which is provided with a configuration substantially similar to that of the opening forming portions I4 of the elements II and I2 of Figs. 1-9. A shaft 31 extends from the upper end or base of portion I4 and a sealing portion I5, similar in configuration to the sealing portions I5 of Figs. 1-9, is rotatably mounted upon this shaft. A cylindrical boss (not shown) is formed on the upper end of shaft 31 and a collar 25 is rotatable on this boss and carries an eye or similar member for attaching the resilient and flexible connecting member to the element. Finally, a thumb-piece 28 is preferably formed integral with the boss to provide a place for applying pressure when punching openings in the can.

When the sealing portion I5 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 10, that is, 180 out of align- .ment with opening forming portion I4, element II is in condition to punch or form an opening in the top of a can, and the sealing portion I5 will not fit into such an opening. After the opening is formed, sealing portion I5 may be rotated into alignment with portion I4, as in Fig. 11, so that the sealing portion fits into the opening and may be urged downwardly to plug the latter. Thus, the entire element need not be rotated to change it from the opening forming position to the opening sealing position, as was the case in the first described embodiment. After the sealing portion I5 has been engaged in the opening, thumb-piece 28' may be grasped and rotated 180 to displace portion I4 out of alignment with the portion I5 so that portion I4 prevents violent ejection of element I I from the opening as in the first described embodiment. Furthermore, sealing portion I5 is preferably formed with a cavity 32 opening at its lower end (Fig. 10) for receiving the pointed end of the other of the elements when the latter are nested in a manner similar to that described in connection with Fig. 6 so that the nested elements may be carried with safety in a pocket or otherwise.

From the above description it is apparent that can opening and sealing devices constructed according to this invention are simple in structure, nest together into a compact assembly to be carried with safety, and when in use prevent engagement of the sealing portions in the openings while the latter are being formed and also prevent the violent ejection of the elements from the can when the openings in the latter are sealed by the device.

In Figs. 12 and 13 other forms of can openers and sealers embodying the present invention are illustrated, which include a bottle opener formed in the opening forming portion thereof so that such devices are further useful for removing the caps from bottles.

Referring to Fig. 12, a single element 38 is illustrated and shown to include a hole or opening forming portion 39, pointed at one end and tapering toward the other end thereof, and a sealing portion 43 extending from portion 39 and tapering toward the latter. Portion 39 and portion 40 are formed with substantially triangular crosssections and, as in the previously described forms, the triangular cross-sections are disposed with their apexes in oppositely extending directions. In order to provide a bottle opener, portion 39 is formed with a transverse notch 4I opening at the spine thereof and in back of the plane of maxi-v mum cross-section. Notch 4I forms a hooked projection 42 for engagement under the edge of a crown cap, of the type used in sealing bottles, so that the cap may be pried off the bottle.

Element 38 may also be provided with an additional sealing portion 43, at the end of portion 48, to fit into a bottle. Sealing portion 43 is preferably frusto-conical in form so that it may be wedged into the neck of a bottle after the cap has been removed to preserve the remaining contents in usable condition. As in the previously described forms of the invention, an operating member 44, in the form of a thumb-piece, is provided at the end of element 38 remote from the pointed end thereof so that pressure may be applied to member 44 for driving the hole forming portion 39 into the top of a can.

In Fig. 13, an element 45 is shown which includes a hole forming portion 46 pointed at one end and formed with a transverse notch 41 to define a hooked projection 48 for removing bottle caps. A tapered sealing portion 49 extends from portion M3 to plug an opening formed by the latter. In this embodiment of the invention hole forming portion 46 and sealing portion 49 are both formed with substantially triangular crosssections which are angularly aligned. As in the element 38 of Fig. 12, element 45 may be provided with a second sealing portion 58 at the end of the sealing portion 4'9 and formed to fit into the neck of a bottle for sealing the latter after its cap has been removed.

While we have illustrated and described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent that the new features of construction and combination herein set forth may be embodied in other forms of can opening and sealing devices, and we therefore desire that the invention be accorded a scope fully commensurate with its contributions to the art, which are intended to be defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A combined 'canopeningand sealing element comprising a portion of non-circular cross-sections pointed atone end for forming an opening in the top of a-can, and a tapered sealing portion extending from the other end of the first mentioned portion and formed with cross-sections similar to those of said first mentioned portion and turned angularl-y relative to the latter so that said sealing portion is engageable in an opening formed by said first mentioned portion only after the sealing portion is rotated bodily to register with the shape of such opening.

2. A combined can opening and sealing element comprising a portion of substantially triangular cross-sections pointed at one end for forming an opening in the top of a can and tapering both in width and thickness toward the other end, and a "sealing portion extending longitudinally from the other end of the first mentioned portion, said sealing portion being formed with substantially triangular cross-sections turned relative to those of said first mentioned portion and tapering both in Width and thickness toward the latter so that sai sealing ortion is engageable in an opening formed by said first mentioned portion only after it is turned to register with such opening.

3. A combined can opening and sealing device comprising a pair of elements, each of said elements including a portion pointed at one end for forming an opening in the top of a can and a sealing portion extending longitudinally from the other end of said pointed portion for .8 of the other element when said elements are in their nested positions.

4. A combined can opening and sealing device comprising a pair of elements, each of said elements including a portion pointed at one end for forming an opening in the .top of a can and a sealing portion extending longitudinally from the other end of saidpointed portion for plugging an opening formed by the latter, said elements being formed to nest side by side in oppositely extending directions, a cavity formed in the sealing portion of each element to receive and shield the pointed end of the first mentioned portion of the other element when said elements are nested, and flexible and .resilient means connecting said elements to each other and dimensioned to be tensioned when said elements are nested to urge said pointed ends into the respective cavities.

5. A combined can opening and sealing device comprising a pair of elements; each of said elements including a portion pointed at one end and tapering toward the other end thereof, said portion being formed with substantially triangular crosssections and having a flat rear face and concaved converging iront faces, and a sealing portion extending longitudinally from said other end and being formed with substantially triangular cross-sections reducing in width and thickness toward said first mentioned. portion, said sealing portion having :a flat front surface substantially :coplanar with said .iiat rear surface of the first mentioned portion :and converging concaved rear surfaces :so that said sealing portion engages in an opening formed by said pointed portion when said element is turned to register said sealing portion with such opening; a collar rotatable on each oi said sealing portions, and a flexible and resilient connecting member attached atits opposite ends to the collars on said pair of elements to permit rotation of the latter without obstruction .from

said connecting member.

6. A combined can opening andsealing element comprising a hole forming portion pointed at one end, and a sealing portion extending longitudinally from the either end of said hole forming portion, said sealing portion being rotatable about a longitudinal axis to be axially aligned with said hole forming portion in one position for engagement in .a hole formed by the latter and to be rotated to a laterally offset position to prevent engagement thereof in such hole. 7

'CARL N. ANDERSON.

CLIFFORD J. DENNEN.

WILLIAM A. GRAEFFINGER.

No references cited. 

